DEVIL’S DUE PUBLISHING & STARZ ALSO TO UNVEIL EXCLUSIVE COMIC BOOK MINI-SERIES INSPIRED BY “SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND”

Exclusive â€˜First Look’ at the anticipated original drama “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” PLUS interview opportunities with cast and production team AND Unveiling of the Exclusive First Edition of series-inspired comic w/ special Comic Con cover.

The world of gladiators comes to life as the Roman Republic’s most brutal fighters clash in the ultimate arena. “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” is an entirely new vision of the ancient legend and will utilize virtual environments giving it a unique graphic novel look and style, along with a fresh narrative approach. Debuting exclusively on Starz, “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” in January 2010 is produced by Starz Media with Executive Producers Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi and Joshua Donen. Starz’s new “Spartacus” series was inspired by the actual slave of the Roman Republic who in 73 BC led a slave revolt that grew to more than 120,000 fighters. Defying the Roman Republic’s legions of soldiers, they campaigned for two years through much of what is now Italy before succumbing to a much larger army. The new series will tell a new set of stories rich in character, action, sex and combat.

This series, including 13 one-hour episodes, is executive produced by heavy-hitters Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man” and “Evil Dead”), Rob Tapert (The Grudge, “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”) and Steven DeKnight (“Smallville,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). Production, based in New Zealand, runs through the end of October.